With progress comes setbacks...

A urinary tract infection has been added to Bob's list of "what else can go wrong". I suggested that a UA be done yesterday, because Bob was feeling such urgency to "go", even though, he had a catheter. Sure enough, a positive UTI. That could explain the "cloudy" thinking yesterday and today.


Bob was in real good spirits tonight. We had a few good belly laughs. It's been a while since I saw him cheerful.


Bob has progressed to using the standing lift to transfer to and from his wheelchair, instead of using the overhead/sling lift. Yeah!


Pray for me to regain my patience, and pray for Bob to willfully move. One day at a time...


*NEW: A PRAYER FOR TODAY from Joel Osteen
Father God, thank You for giving me power to overcome fear. I choose to face fear head on and drive it out of my life. Show me any areas of my life where fear is holding me back so that I can press forward into the life of victory You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."



Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.


Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.


email
stroke info
aneurysm info


VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

"Cloudy" brain day

Construction on the new addition to our home had to be shortened today. The Oregon rains are starting. It will rain from now until April. It's annoying; but, it's waaaayyyy better than snow!


Bob had a "cloudy" brain day. At least he remembered my name! Most days he remembers; some days he doesn't. On the days he doesn't remember my name, he doesn't believe me when I tell him my name.


Bob is getting very frustrated with his body and mind not working the way he's used to. It's a miracle he's still alive, so I will be patient with his recovery.

Pray for me to regain my patience, and pray for Bob to willfully move. One day at a time...

*NEW: A PRAYER FOR TODAY from Joel Osteen
"Father God, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for the good plan You have for my life. Help me choose my friends and companions wisely so that I can continue to move forward in the destiny You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email
stroke info
aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Where's a happy medium?

I didn't do my usual split shift visit like I've done since May. My class started today at UCC. It's an online class. If the VA had wireless, I could visit my T all day and still do my class. But, they don't, so, I waited until 5:30pm. I missed Bob terribly. You don't understand. When Bob would go on his business trips to wherever without me, we would talk on the phone most of the day; literally, 99.9% of the day!


Bob received a new "fitted" wheelchair today. It fits the length of his legs properly; it fits the angle of his ankles properly; and, he has a nice, soft cushion for the seat. He wheeled it like he was training for a marathon. He gave me a "run for my money".


Bob did well with memory tonight. I gave him 5-6 cards to memorize. After studying the hand, he turned the hand over. I removed one card. He looked at the cards again and told me which one I removed. His success rate was close to 100%.


Pray for me to regain my patience, and pray for Bob to willfully move. One day at a time...


*NEW: A PRAYER FOR TODAY from Joel Osteen
"Father God, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for the good plan You have for my life. Help me choose my friends and companions wisely so that I can continue to move forward in the destiny You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.


Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.


email

stroke info

aneurysm info


VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

I'm not so crazy after all...

I talked to one of Bob's nurses tonight about his progress. She told me that the social worker that spoke to me a week or so ago couldn't have been talking about the same Bob that we all know. Bob is eating fine on his own; he is more cognitively aware every day; he is making his legs stronger by walking while sitting in his wheelchair; he does need to work on standing; and he needs to get rid of the catheter.


Cognitive therapy had mixed results today. One month ago, he couldn't name things; today he could. Listing still needs lots of work. When asked to list parts of a car, he couldn't list any, but, if I discribed a part, he named it. The same thing occured for water mammals, body organs, farm animals, and many more. He did know four car models and three things with zippers.


Tomorrow, classes start again for the college where I teach. I told T he has homework to do during the day. He has all day to work on getting stronger. I won't be in to visit him until dinner time. He needs to show me everything he's worked on.

Pray for me to regain my patience, and pray for Bob to willfully move. One day at a time...

*NEW: A PRAYER FOR TODAY from Joel Osteen
"Father in heaven, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. I choose Your plan and ask that You direct my mind and thoughts according to Your purposes. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email
stroke info
aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Go Ducks, not Lions...

Ok, that does it! I'm no longer a Penn State fan. From this day forward, I'm an Oregon Ducks fan (at least for this football season). Penn State lost tonight against Iowa. Bob and I watched it on TV. Of course, he was grinning ear-to-ear. For those who don't know, I'm a Penn State graduate, and I taught at Penn State for ten years before moving to Oregon. Go Ducks!


Cognitive therapy tonight had me looking dumb. I gave T words and numbers to remember. They were mixed together. For example, I'd list cat, 7, dress, sock, 6. He had to tell me the words first, then the numbers. When I gave him the five words and numbers, he repeated the words first then the numbers back to me in the order that I gave them. The problem was, I forgot what numbers I gave him. Once again, I'm proving to myself that my cognitive ability sucks.


The nurses had Bob motate his wheelchair today using his hands and feet. They took the footrests off to allow him to ambulate easier. Needless to say after a few hours of using this as his mode of transportation, Bob was exhausted.


Pray for me to regain my patience, and pray for Bob to willfully move. One day at a time...


*NEW: A PRAYER FOR TODAY from Joel Osteen

"Father in heaven, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. I choose Your plan and ask that You direct my mind and thoughts according to Your purposes. In Jesus' Name. Amen."


Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.


Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.


email

stroke info

aneurysm info


VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Date night at the care unit...

One of the residents' wives brought a Las Vegas show of a ventriliquist, Terry something. He's the one who won America's Got Talent last year or the year before. Anyway, she put signs up advertising the event. The event was to watch a Las Vegas Show in one of the TV lounges. Cookies, chips, and soda were provided. I waited for the cocktail waitress to come around; but, I must have missed her. :0(

T asked me if I wanted to go. It was a little chilly, so we covered ourselves with a blanket and watched the show. We had a date!

Later, we worked on memory activities like, I would name three things. Bob would repeat them back to me, forwards and backwards. (a little working memory there) He got 100%. He named four farm animals. I asked him what "field maggots" were. That's what he always called sheep. He didn't remember ever saying that.

hahaha...T was funny earlier today. We were playing the card game "Go Fish". When he asked me for a card that I had and needed to give to him, he said he didn't want them, because he didn't want to hold all of the cards. I told him that is part of the game. He told me, he quits then because he wasn't going to take the cards.

Pray for me to regain my patience, and pray for Bob to willfully move.

One day at a time...

*NEW: A PRAYER FOR TODAY from Joel Osteen
"Father in heaven, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. I choose Your plan and ask that You direct my mind and thoughts according to Your purposes. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email
stroke info
aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

What did I want to write?

I have become more aware of my inability to remember things, that it doesn't bother me when Bob forgets. Ha, I haven't had a brain injury, and many times, I can't remember what I wanted to do from one minute to the next.

One thing Bob does, though, memory-wise, is he forgets what he is doing in the middle of doing things. For example, if he is exercising his arms, he'll do three repetitions, pause, then forget what he was doing. Also, there can be no activity or talking going on around him. He'll focus on that activity, not on his task at hand.

I helped Bob play poker with the "boys" today. Even though he was an excellent poker player before his stroke, he couldn't get the gist of the game. He knew pairs, straights, and what beats what, but he couldn't understand the betting and how the cards were dealt. Note to the Friday night poker guys: You'll actually be able to win now. Get all your poker playing in before Bob's skills come back. :-)

Pray for me to regain my patience, and pray for Bob to willfully move.

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email stroke info aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Move it move it..

I was mistaken. Yesterday's temperature for the first day of autumn was not 100 degrees. It was 104 degrees. Not humid; just hot hot hot.

For the first time, Bob made me so angry tonight, and I made him angry too. He told my son that I was treating him mean. What happened? I'll tell you what happened. Bob lays on his back and doesn't move; doesn't scootch around; doesn't wiggle; nothing by himself. Not that he can't, because he can. He chooses not to move. I want him to come home, and if he doesn't start moving, he's not going to get strong enough to have any endurance to stand or walk with a walker. So...what happened...I was getting impatient with his lack of motivation to roll on his side, and, he was getting mad at me for being impatient. So, I left. I went to the dining hall to listen to a guy who plays old country music. Many many moons ago, he opened for Johnny Cash. He grew up close to Johnny Cash's homestead.

Pray for me to regain my patience, and, pray for Bob to willfully move.

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email stroke info aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

First day of autumn...

The temperature for the first day of autumn was 100 degrees. It was quite warm. T and I sat outside for a short while. Needless to say, we baked.

T had an hour of physical therapy this evening. Nettie, the PT, attempted to stand t up. I need to take my "sitting yoga" DVD so, we both can stretch. T is very stiff from lying down for almost five months. Nettie, also, practiced rolling from side to side with Bob. He is slower than a snail. It'll come.

The OT ordered an exam with an optometrist. He thinks a patch over one eye will decrease the amount of confusing stimuli both eyes are giving T's brain. T's gaze looks as though he's looking through a wall of water.

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email stroke info aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Day of rehab...

Bob's day was filled with physical therapy, occupational therapy, my visit, and, actually, socializing with some of the guys by watching a western movie in the tv room.

Daniel and I reviewed the new addition plans with Bob. It's so nice that he's so agreeable.

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email stroke info aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

"I'm such a mess"...

"I'm such a mess. I don't know what I'm suppose to be feeling." That is what Bob said to me today. I assured him that what he is feeling may be frustrating now, but in the end everything will be reprogrammed to be automatic. I am very positive.

Bob played a little guitar today. We walked around the outside path for some exercise. And, he finally accepted the fact that we lived in Roseburg, Oregon. For the longest time now, we lived in Iowa. We'll see what he says tomorrow.

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email stroke info aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

"human noise"....

Today, I had Bob wheel his wheelchair again, using his feet and legs in a walking motion while sitting, to the dining room. Several times he stopped in the middle of the hall. When I encouraged him to keep moving, he replied that there was too much "human noise". He had to stop to listen to what everyone was saying. This is how our conversation went...I told him just to ignore it. He said he can't. I told him, "You ignore me!" He said, "Well, that's you!" He got quite a few outbursts of laughter from the nurses standing close by. grrrr...

I ran into a not-so-positive person again today. It was a social worker who felt that Bob was going to need a lot of home-health care or round-the-clock care when he went home. She also said he wasn't eating, not able to swallow well, and was losing too much weight. I looked at her, like Bob looks at me sometimes; I looked at her like she had two heads. First, I asked her if he looks like he had a few more pounds to lose? And, then, I asked her if we were talking about the same person. Bob is getting more cognitively aware everyday; he's eating three meals a day; and he's physically getting stronger. I need to talk with the charge nurse to see if I'm visiting the right Bob Pirie.

Interesting tid-bit: Bob told his mom and dad on the phone this evening that we were vacationing in Florida. Yeah, we flew there yesterday. :-)
One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email stroke info aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Only 8 weeks to walk...

I was told today that Bob's VA stay is limited to eight more weeks. Then, he either goes to another skilled nursing facility or home with home-health care. So, I'm not letting my t go to another nursing facility. We marked the calendar. Our goal is to get him well enough to come home within eight weeks. No more lallygagging.

I could see the stress that bit of news created in me today. At one point, I lost my patience (hard to believe :) I know)I told t to stop looking at me like I had two heads, because I know he knows what he needs to do. Another time, we were listening to music and putting a puzzle together. I asked him if he can sing and put the pieces together at the same time. He said, "F*** no". hahahaha...that's my t.

If you tried to go the website that I mentioned yesterday. I gave you the wrong link. Here is the correct link, www.mymsmyway.com The website helps improve your cognitive retention. I did much better today. I must have been tired yesterday. (Yeah, that was it. I was tired; that's why I didn't score well.)

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info

aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

My memory sucks too...

I got a full understanding of memory, or lack of my memory, today. I can completely empathize with Bob. If you didn't already know I taught college, you'd never guess I did. The MS Society has brain games on their website to increase cognitive retention. The game was called word-chain. The last letter of one word was the first letter of the word you needed to find. Then, the last letter of that word was the first letter of the next word you needed to find. The game started by giving you the first letter. Easy enough, right? So I thought too. Well...the balloons floated by with simple three-four words written on them. My first word needed to start with an "i". Four balloons floated by. Here came "ice". Great. I made the man jump to catch the "ice" balloon. My next word needed to start with an "e". But, as the balloons floated by, "what the hell was the last letter of the word???" Dag-nabit...I have to start over. The game prompted me with the letter "a". "Ok", I told myself, "concentrate, remember". Here came the balloons. "boy...cat...car...tree...arm" "There's my word; arm" I jumped my man to get the balloon. More balloons kept coming. "pad...card...book..." "Damn-it." "What is the letter I'm looking for? What was that word I jumped to get?" I forgot. I had to start over. After the third attempt, I gave up. I'll try tomorrow. Try for yourself. Go to www.mymsmyway.com

My t was quiet today. He told me again that he was going to stand up and leave. I asked him how he was going to catch himself if he starts to fall. (The strength of his arms would never hold him up.) He told me that when it comes down to getting stronger, I can torture him, and he may swear at me or ignore me, but eventually, he'll do what I say to do. (Does that sound like he's giving me permission to push him to the limits? It does to me.)

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info

aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Practice night...

The Roseburg United Methodist Church choir, who Bob's a member, came to the VA Community Living Center for practice. Bob was excited to see everyone. During warm-ups, he never missed a beat. Bob sang for the entire hour. He loved it. He was very tired though. I made him wheel himself back to his room. That little extra work put him over the edge of exhaustion. The nurses laid him in bed, and he quickly fell asleep. He was even too tired to say good-night. :-/

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info

aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Never missed a beat...

Zachary and I took t's guitar to him this evening. Amazing, he hasn't lost his ability to play. Immediately, he started tuning it. After tuning it, Zachary refreshed Bob's memory on "Wipe Out". T got the guitar back and played "Wipe Out" without any hesitation! He played more than Zachary. Zachary forgot the middle. Bob didn't.

Tomorrow, Wanda, the church choir director, is bringing the choir to the VA for Wednesday night choir practice. The whole facility is buzzing. The nurses are getting Bob "warmed" up for singing. They turn on the CD player and have him sing to them.

Cognitive therapy was short tonight. The guitar playing was enough. We named farm animals also. Recall was not good. Bob made animal sounds. He did know a cat sound or bird sounds (duck and chick).

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info

aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

You've come a long way baby

I looked over some of my past posts...Boy, have we come a long way. I looked at pictures too from the beginning to now. That was scary. What was even scarier was my grammatical and spelling errors. Thank goodness I didn't receive any emails grading me. I would have crawled under the desk with embarrassment.

Tonight, our focus was to work on getting his eyes to work together. As I mentioned before, Bob's eyes don't work well together. He's now aware that his eyes are doing goofy things. I found a few activities on the Internet that will help retrain his brain to get his eyes to coordinate. He tells me that he's not worried; with my help everything will work out.

I need to start a storybook with all the stories he conjures up. When he's talking, he truly believes what he is saying. The stories aren't "far-fetched"; they just don't make any sense at all.

He works with the Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist everyday. Oh, and of course, he works extensively with the Cognitive Therapist...(me!)

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info

aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

"Feel good" Day

One of the nurses who care for Bob on a regular basis asked me today if I was a nurse. She said that I am so patient with Bob, and I know how to talk with him and to get him to do things. That made me feel nice.

Bob also made me feel good. I told him that I understand how frustrating it must be for him not to be able to get up and golf or go to a meeting or ride his bike. He told me, "It's not as frustrating as it would be if he was doing it alone. Having you (me) makes it less frustrating." Awe...does anyone wonder why I love my t?

Today's cognitive lesson consisted of naming opposites (100%), naming synonyms (100%), listing fruits (0%) (that's the labeling thing again), listing animals on a farm (1/5), describing animals (mmm...somewhat), and remembering two words that I gave him at the beginning of the day. (if I said one of the words, he knew the other; but couldn't do it on his own.) I wonder if I can bill the insurance company for inpatient cognitive therapy?

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info

aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

pulling my heart strings...

For the third evening in a row, t is adamant about getting out of bed on his own. He thinks he can walk just fine. He said tonight that is tired of being in bed, and he's tired of people telling him what he can do and what he can't do. I can sympathize completely with the walking issue. I'm in the same boat. The only difference is is that I do get up. The same result happens though. I fall, then someone needs to hoist me back up. So, I understand exactly how fells, completely.

To divert his attention, he and I watched "The Buddy Holly Story" on my laptop. That seemed to help keep his mind off of getting out of bed. There is an alarm attached to his shirt, so if he tries to get out of bed, the nurses are alerted immediately.

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

I'm telling the truth...

Yep, Bob is definitely more alert in the evening. For a short while this evening, we had normal conversation about what happened in May; he knew his birthday without hesitation; and, he knew the date. He is determined, though, to convince me that we live in Iowa. He doesn't believe that we live in Oregon. He'll tell me, "Whatever you say. But, I don't believe you." He told me today that we are only a few miles west of Iowa. He says he'll prove it to me on a map.

Even though Bob is quite alert in the evenings, at one point every evening, he gets very frightened. He gets very insecure; almost paranoid. His hands shake and his voiced quivers from being nervous. He doesn't understand why things are the way they are, and why he can't do what he wants to do. He thinks people are "falsely" telling him things. (that is what he says) I have a nurse verify what I'm telling him, and he still doesn't believe me. For example, he's getting urges to urinate. I tell him he has a catheter in him. I explain all the details of how it works, where it goes, show him the tube... He throws the sheet off and says he'll pull it out; he has to go. I'll explain again; he'll insist he's going to "wet" himself. Ugh....one day at a time. :-)

My t is still as cute as a puppydog.

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Seeing two...

I've known for a long time that Bob's eyes don't work together all of the time. He has become so aware of many things. He finally understands how his eyes are being goofy. Before today, he thought everything was fine. When I saw his eyes looking two different places today, I had him close one eye and look at an object; then close the other eye and focus on the same object. He recognized the difference in the placement of the object. Then, when he opened both eyes, his eyes were working correctly. He told me he wanted to do that everyday to retrain his eyes for good vision.

T wants to stand up and walk so badly that I fear he's going to attempt it and fall flat on the floor. Sometimes, he gets it in his mind that he is right and can do things. We end up in a little bit of a tiff. grrr...

One day at a time...
A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM Joel Osteen
"Heavenly Father, I know what you've put on the inside of me. By faith I see the dreams you've given me coming to pass, no matter what my circumstances are. I am full of Your power and I'm ready to become everything you created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Normal is good.

Today was a day of same ole' same ole'. The day's routine was the same as usual. We sat outside (right off the second hole) and watched golfers cheat. They don't do that do they? We also saw a golfer show us what to do when "nature" calls. I guess he didn't think anyone was watching. It gave us a good laugh. Is that one reason trees are left on a golf course?

Bob stood today with his tennis shoes on. He hasn't had any shoes on since May 14. The staff are trying to do whatever they can to make him feel as normal as possible. This will help in the recovery process. I've taken in his shampoo, toothpaste, electric toothbrush, deodorant, razors, shaving lotion, soap, and cologne. Anything to make him feel normal.

Daniel, my son, brought Bob's Harley to the unit for him to see. Bob didn't think it was his.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Defiant @%**#@%^...

Bob was just "full of himself" today. He was an honoree little bugger. If I heard "NO" once, I heard it a million times. Also, he kept saying I was yelling, when really I repeated myself. For example, I need to coax Bob to continue to eat, otherwise, he stops for long periods of time. Then, he has many food choices, which, makes his head spin...eat...what to eat...salad? mashed potatoes? chicken? drink?..."keep going"....what to eat?...oh I'm confused..."t?"..."what?"..."eat"..."I'm thinking about it"... His thoughts must be going a mile a minute. Mealtime takes about an hour, even with coaxing.

Also, if I heard "What for" once, I heard it a million times. He'll follow up "What for" with "I don't see how it will benefit me." Isn't that the same as a two-year-old saying "Why"?

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

o-e-o o...-um

Sixteen weeks and four days. Seems longer than that. I didn't realize, until I posted this photo, yesterday, that the caption on the magazine, "Too Big To Fail", is a perfect moto for Bob. I think I'll frame this magazine cover.

T was funny today. He was using a hairbrush as a microphone to sing Asleep at the Wheel songs. Even when he talked, he acted like he was on stage using the mic to speak to the audience.

We played Connect Four again today for cognitive therapy. Bob finally asked me a question about the rules. He also, finally, asked one of his nurses a question. To this day, he always "went with the flow". He never asked questions, because his brain couldn't think in that direction (inquiry); which means, more synapses are connecting! Yeah!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

TOO BIG TO FAIL!

Bob is determined to get back to work. He and I had a good talk tonight about everything that happened. I don't think that'll be the last conversation we'll have. I'm sure he's already forgotten most of it anyhow. However, he is very determined to get back to trading. He says he misses it. He is also thankful he is alive, and says he will figure out why God wanted him to be alive. I told him I know one reason. I said that it made all of us think about our own lives and how we live them.

I didn't realize, until I posted this photo, that the caption on the magazine, "Too Big To Fail", is a perfect moto for Bob. I think I'll frame this magazine cover.

Two interesting things happened today that makes me marvel at the brain. I had my t look in the mirror to brush his hair. I asked him, who the person was in the mirror. He said, "It's me." I, then, asked, "What is the person's name in the mirror?", and he had no clue. But, he knew his name. He just couldn't put the connection together.

Another interesting thing was when Aunika came into the room, he knew her name; but, when she put on a surgical mask (one that covers the nose and mouth), he didn't know who she was. When she pulled the mask down, he said, "It looks like Aunika.", but wasn't sure. When she put it back over her nose and mouth, he didn't know. Interesting....

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Better and better and better...

It's neat to see that Bob can laugh at himself for things that he has done over the past four months. I tell him things that he's done, and he laughs and says, "I really did that?" For example, I showed him all of the small stuffed animals and toys different people got him to squeeze. (For months, he needed to be holding something in his hands.) He laughed. I also told him that he couldn't remember may name until a few days ago. He apologized, then said he won't forget my name.

The nurses are so excited to see such progress. Nurses who haven't seen him everyday, were stopping in today to give him positive encouragement because they have heard such great things.

We played a few games of Connect Four tonight. Amazing! Two weeks ago, the concept of lining up four game pieces was way out of his comprehension. Tonight, he could only focus on getting his four pieces lined up. He couldn't do that and block my pieces at the same time. Give him another week of recovery and I bet he'll give me a run for my money. ;-)

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

zzzzzzz...

Today was for the most part was another sleeping day for Bob. Because of the MRSA infection, the care unit's policy is to bath the resident everyday with a bath that takes about an hour to do and change the wound dressings every other day. They have found that by doing this, the wound heals much faster. The report from the wound nurse today is that tissue inside the wound is filling in nice and quickly. Bob also had occupational therapy and a bit of physical therapy. All of these things happened this morning, so by lunch time, he was falling asleep holding his fork. I gave him my sandwich from KFC. He took one bite, then fell sound asleep holding it in one hand.

I wasn't able to visit him this evening. Zachary had his first marching band performance at the high school football game. He did really well. Nobody ran into anyone else. Zachary (left) looks good in a uniform.

I was able to get all of t's pictures hung in his room today. I've continued to play music for him. He got flowers and a balloon delivered today. Oh...guess what he thinks he does for a job. He thinks he's a farmer. The past two nights he was so upset that he didn't know how the crops were doing in the field. He was upset enough that he was shaking and angry. (Thank goodness he's really not a farmer; I wouldn't like dealing with that emotion every growing season.)

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Memory took a huge jump forward...

Evening is such a good time for Bob. It is easy for me to forget that he has cognitive challenges during this time. I have a picture of Bob and three band members when he was around 18-19 years old. I've had it ever since he was in OHSU (June). Many many times we've talked about who each person was. In the beginning, he didn't recognize himself. A week or two ago, he could only name one other person. Tonight, he named each person by their first and last name like he had a fully functioning brain. Amazing!

Some other recovery tidbits are, he's eating so much better. Eating is becoming quicker. It still takes a good thirty-forty minutes, but I don't have to guide him through each step of the way. A few weeks ago, I had to show him the food on his spoon, then tell him where it needed to go and how to get it there. I even had to guide his hand to his mouth to get the motion going. No need to do that anymore. I do need to remind him not to take huge bites, because he needs to think too much about chewing and swallowing as separate tasks. It's hard for him to do them both at the same time. Something most people do automatically.

He's still in quarantine. Bob's on an antibiotic for the MRSA. He'll be retested for two weeks. Two negative results will relieve him of quarantinism (new word).

Today's lesson plan consisted of randomly drawing a playing card, then telling me what number came before and after. He told me the second and third number before and after also.

For memory recall, I would remove a card from a series. He then would have to tell me the missing card. He not only told me the missing card, but he told me the suit! All of the cards varied in suits. He did that on his own. I didn't ask him to do that. Later, I took two, then three away. 100% every time! He does like the casino.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Bob still gives his heart to me...

I'm going to say only one thing tonight. Bob still pours out his heart. What did he do? When we were hugging and saying our good-nights and I love yous, Bob thanked me for being there for him. He told me I was a special person. Awe... I told him, like I've told many other people, it's very easy being there for a person you love so much.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Na, na, na-na, na, na...

Once a male always a male! Here's a story to prove my point. Bob was getting a bed bath today, and the nurse said she wanted him to wash his private parts. She walked out of the room, he looked at me and whispered, "Do you want to wash my private parts?" Geesh...do guys ever give up? hahahaha....

On the other end of the spectrum, Bob was irritating me too. He kept playing with his feeding tube, which enters his body through his mid-torso to his stomach. He found it and was playing with it. I told him not to play with it, like a mother does to a toddler. He said that it was stuck to him. I repeated myself, and the terrible twos revealed its' ugly head. He adamantly said NO, then continued. I felt like a sibling saying, "I'm going tell the nurse (mom) if you don't quit." Of course, he continued. I tried to pull his hand away. "STOP IT!" He pushed my hands away. "NO!" Back and forth we tussled. "STOP IT!"-"NO!" So, like a snotty sister, I pushed the call button. Na, na, na-na, na, na... "I pushed the button. Now what are you going to do?" We were having a little sibling rivalry fight for a moment.

Bob was in the dining room eating this evening with the other residents. When I arrived, he was reading the newspaper at the dinner table. It was nice seeing him looking natural, instead of in a hospital bed.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A (new room)